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A New Multi-Dimensional Framework for Analyzing Regional Integration: Regional Integration Evaluation (RIE) Methodology

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A New Multi-Dimensional Framework for Analyzing Regional Integration: Regional Integration Evaluation (RIE) Methodology ADB Working Paper Series on Regional Economic Integration A New Multi-Dimensional Framework for Analyzing Regional Integration: Regional Integration Evaluation (RIE) Methodology Donghyun Park and Mario Arturo Ruiz Estrada No. 49 | May 2010 ADB Working Paper Series on Regional Economic Integration A New Multi-Dimensional Framework for Analyzing Regional Integration: Regional Integration Evaluation (RIE) Methodology Donghyun Park+ and Mario Arturo +Donghyun Park is Principal Economist, Economics Ruiz Estrada++ and Research Department, Asian Development Bank, 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City, 1550 Metro Manila, Philippines. No. 49 May 2010 Tel +63 2 632 5825, Fax +63 2 636 2342, [email protected] ++Mario Arturo Ruiz Estrada is Lecturer and Researcher, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya. [email protected] The ADB Working Paper Series on Regional Economic Integration focuses on topics relating to regional cooperation and integration in the areas of infrastructure and software, trade and investment, money and finance, and regional public goods. The Series is a quick-disseminating, informal publication that seeks to provide information, generate discussion, and elicit comments. Working papers published under this Series may subsequently be published elsewhere. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent. The Asian Development Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. Use of the term ―country‖ does not imply any judgment by the authors or the Asian Development Bank as to the legal or other status of any territorial entity. Unless otherwise noted, $ refers to US dollars. © 2010 by Asian Development Bank May 2010 Publication Stock No. Contents Abstract iv 1. Introduction 1 2. RIE Methodology: An Illustration From Inter-Korean Unification 2 3. Application of The RIE Methodology To Different Trade Blocs 7 3.1 European Union (EU): High Regional Development and High Regional Integration 7 3.2 NAFTA: High Regional Development and Economics-Focused Regional Integration 9 3.3 ASEAN: Low Regional Development and Low Regional Integration 11 3.4 MERCOSUR: Rapid Regional Development and Slow Regional Integration 12 4. Concluding Remarks 14 References 16 . ADB Working Paper Series on Regional Economic Integration 18 Tables 1. Multi-Input Database Table, Global Political Development 3 2. Global Political Development of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the 1970s 4 . 3. EU’s Political, Social, Economic and Technological Development and Regional Integration Stage (RIS) Index 8 . 4. NAFTA’s Political, Social, Economic and Technological Development and Regional Integration Stage (RIS) Index 10 5. ASEAN’s Political, Social, Economic and Technological Development and Regional Integration Stage (RIS) Index 12 6. MERCOSUR’s Political, Social, Economic and Technological Development and Regional Integration Stage (RIS) Index 13 Figures 1. Global Overall Development of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the 1970s 5 2. Global Development Stage of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the 1970s 6 3. The Regional Integration Stage (RIS) Index, EU in the 1980s 9 Abstract Theories of regional integration typically analyze the regional integration process from the perspective of a single discipline, usually economics. However, such one- dimensional analytical frameworks cannot fully capture the richness and complexity of the inherently multi-dimensional regional integration process. To address the problem, we propose the regional integration evaluation (RIE) methodology which is based on four dimensions of development – economic, political, social and technological. The central idea behind the RIE methodology is that regional development promotes regional integration. Our RIE methodology differs from the existing literature in that it is based on a more comprehensive definition of development than just economic development. Our definition of a region's development incorporates the development levels of all regional countries as well as differences in development levels among regional countries. We apply the RIE methodology to assess the regional development and hence integration prospects of NAFTA, ASEAN, MERCOSUR and EU. Keywords: Economic integration, economic modeling, NAFTA, ASEAN, MERCOSUR, EU JEL Classification: F15 A New Multi-Dimensional Framework for Analyzing Regional Integration: Regional Integration | 1 Evaluation (RIE) Methodology 1. Introduction Research on regional integration has engendered a wide range of theories, models and methodologies. Most of the existing theories, models and research methodologies on regional integration are based on the perspectives of a single discipline, most often economics.1 In this paper, we approach regional integration from a multi-disciplinary perspective which incorporates not only economics but also the political, social and technological dimensions of integration.2 More specifically, we introduce a new multi- dimensional analytical framework – the regional integration evaluation (RIE) methodology – which is based on all four dimensions of development. Our measure of a region’s development level in the economic, political, social and technological spheres is the regional development index Xi. The index incorporates the development levels of all regional countries as well as differences among the regional countries. For example, ASEAN’s economic development index measures ASEAN’s economic development level, which, in turn, depends on the economic development levels of all its member countries. Wide gaps in economic development levels among member countries, say between Singapore and Cambodia, reduce ASEAN’s economic development index. The central idea behind the RIE methodology is that regional development promotes regional integration. That is, the higher the development level of a region, the more likely it is that the countries of the region will experience closer integration with each other. The development level of a region, in turn, depends on the domestic development level of each country in the region. While the idea that regional development is beneficial for regional integration is hardly new, our RIE methodology differs from the existing literature in that it is based on a more comprehensive definition of development than just economic development. A high level of regional economic development is certainly conducive for integration since it allows for more trade, investment and other economic interaction among its member countries. However, it is equally clear that a high level of development in non-economic spheres is also conducive for integration. For example, regional integration is more likely to occur among well-functioning democracies than among countries with less mature and stable political systems. This explains why Western European countries, which are not only highly developed economically but also politically and in other spheres, have reached the highest level of regional integration in the world today. Furthermore, regional integration not only involves the progressive removal of barriers to economic interaction among members, it draws them closer together in non-economic spheres as well. As such, not only can we expect high levels of regional economic and non-economic development to promote regional integration, we can also expect regional 1 Please refer to Jovanovic (2006), Robson (2006), Fratianni (2006), Das (2004) and El-Agraa (1989) for comprehensive discussions of regional economic integration. 2 Although the vast majority of the literature on regional integration addresses regional economic integration, there are some papers which look at the political, social and technological dimensions of integration. For example, (i) Schiff and Wang (2003) explore technology diffusion under NAFTA, (ii) Duina (2006) examines the social aspects of regional integration in the EU, NAFTA and MERCOSUR, (iii) Marsh (2006) looks at the relationship between political liberalization and regionalism in East and Southeast Asia, and (iv) Capannelli, Lee and Petri (2009) look at similarity of political institutions and culture among East Asian countries. 2 | Working Paper Series on Regional Economic Integration No. 49 integration to promote both economic and non-economic development of a region. For example, the widely cited economic benefits of integration, such as greater trade and investment among member countries, can stimulate the region’s economic growth, and indeed higher growth has been a major driving motivation behind most regional integration initiatives. Integration can also bring member countries closer together in terms of their political, social, technological and environment, for example by promoting the adoption of common labor or environmental standards. As evident from the EU's experience, such broader integration, as opposed to narrowly economic integration, can significantly reduce the risk of tension and violent conflict among member states. There is thus a mutually supportive and reinforcing relationship between regional development and regional integration. We believe that our RIE methodology can provide more accurate and comprehensive guidance for both policymakers and researchers about
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